Drunk hurled racist abuse at bus driver

DRUNKEN Nahit Ozarslan racially abused a bus driver before assaulting him and his colleague.

The 40-year-old, who came to Britain from Turkey in 2002, called Paul Matthews a 'white pig', Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard yesterday.

Prosecutor Paul Spratt said Mr Matthews told Ozarslan he could not board his bus on August 31 because he was carrying a drink.

"The defendant reacted badly," said Mr Spratt. "He swore at him and racially abused him, calling him a white pig. He repeated that on two or three occasions."

On November 27, Mr Matthews again saw Ozarslan at the bus stop.

Mr Spratt said: "He was not going to allow the defendant on the bus because of the previous abuse.

"The defendant was abusive and said, 'Take me'. He racially abused him and threw a £2 coin into the bus which hit Mr Matthews and bounced to the floor."

A second bus driver, Kevin Breward, who was travelling in the opposite direction, saw something was going on and went to help his colleague, the court heard.

"The defendant lashed out with his arm," said Mr Spratt. "There was a struggle involving all three. Mr Breward was pushed backwards and slammed his head into a brick wall opposite the bus doors. It knocked him out almost immediately.

"The defendant repeatedly spat at Mr Matthews and was still attempting to strike him. Police were called and members of the public assisted in detaining the defendant, who was arrested at the scene."

Mr Matthews suffered grazes to his knees and elbow and pain to the back of his head. Mr Breward was left with a lump on his head and grazes to his finger, shin and elbow, and pain and swelling to his toe.

Ozarslan, of Honeywall, Penkhull, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress between August 31 and November 1 last year, racially aggravated assault on Mr Matthews on November 27 and assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Mr Breward on the same date.

Robert Smith, mitigating, said Ozarslan turned to alcohol and cannabis to blot out the distress of his marriage break-up.

He said Ozarslan did not intend to knock Mr Breward unconscious.

"He saw red. He is extremely remorseful," added Mr Smith.

Jailing Ozarslan for 12 months, Recorder Bal Dhaliwal said: "Mr Matthews was carrying out a public service. You used his skin colour against him. Mr Breward came over to see what the problem was. He was knocked unconscious.

"This was part of ongoing harassment of the bus driver. You were constantly racially abusing him.

"Every individual has a right to carry out their work without any fear of assault, threats or racial abuse."